Roger Federer is quite a man, but his campaign to win his fifth Australian Open and a record 16th Grand Slam title is very much a team effort. In keeping with the trend amongst the world’s top players to assemble a squad of physiotherapists, fitness trainers, coaches and agents, Federer will be using every seat at his disposal in the players’ box during Sunday night’s singles final against Andy Murray. Given the size of Murray’s entourage, it could be standing room only in his.
Federer’s close-knit band of supporters grew sizeably in August, when he and wife Mirka welcomed twins Myla and Charlene into the fold. With the babies came the nannies – two on this trip – in order to help make sure Daddy’s sleep patterns and daily routine are not disrupted too much by his girls. One of the more frequent sights of this year’s Australian Open has been one of the Federer twins being walked up and down the corridors that surround Rod Laver Arena.
Federer’s wife Mirka, whom Roger met at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, is always in the front row for her husband’s matches and, as a former player, probably understands better than most the strain he is under in competition. After nearly nine years together, they married in April last year, and though Mirka is often too busy with childcare these days to take as much of a hands-on role as she did earlier on his career when she managed his flights, hotels and media commitments, she is still his most ardent and valued supporter.
Federer’s parents Lynette and Robert are also in Melbourne, though they have not been sitting together at this year’s event. Lynette is South African by birth, and met Robert (who is Swiss) in 1970 when they both worked at the same pharmaceutical company. Just as Mirka did, Lynette has an active role in Federer’s career early on, though that has been scaled back and, as he has become busier, his management company IMG and the communications team inside the ATP tend to be more involved in the day-to-day details of his working life. Lynette has admitted that she once found watching her son’s matches difficult, though she is a good deal less nervous than she used to be. “He doesn’t have to win every match anymore,” she has said. “And if he does lose, my feelings are not as strong as they used to be. That’s why I am pretty calm, even if matches are getting close. I’m calmer than (husband) Roby, anyway.”
Federer does not currently have a full-time coach, but Switzerland’s Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi often travels with him and comes close to fulfilling that role. Federer also has a physio, Stefane Vivier, with him on this trip. Vivier, a former trainer for the ATP, is a recent addition to the team and only began working with Federer in October 2009. When he is not in tournament mode, Federer works closely with fitness specialist Pierre Paganini, who oversees his training regime but seldom travels with the team.
Federer’s agent and manager Tony Godsick plays an increasingly important role in his client’s life and is ever-present by Federer’s side during major tournaments. He is always in the players’ box during matches, and often brings his daughter Isobel to helping with the cheering. Godsick’s wife, former pro Mary Joe Fernandez, is working for US broadcaster ESPN, so is therefore often too busy to watch her husband’s boss in action.
Federer has strong links with Australia, and he often invites friends who live here to watch at Melbourne Park. When he played Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi-finals on Friday, the parents of Federer’s Australian-born mentor Peter Carter (who was killed in a car accident in 2002) were there, leading the applause.
Whatever the outcome of Federer’s final against Murray, he is not likely to be short of cheerleaders, either in the players’ box or outside it.
